Chichen Itza, Mexico

Chichen Itza is classified as one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the
World!' When you look at the spectacular El Castillo, Kukulkan Pyramid
it is easy to understand why. The highly detailed Mayan architecture and
sheer size and scale of the pyramid will take your breath away.

As you explore the mysterious archeological site, you begin to
question how it was possible to build such spectacular structures all
those years ago.

The El Castillo Pyramid was originally built by the early
pre-columbian Maya Civilization in 900AD. The city grew in prominence
and importance between the 9th and 12th centuries. New structures were
built and current areas were expanded. Influences from Toltec and Mayan
culture can be found at the site. There are hundreds of buildings, but
only a small fraction of them have been fully restored.

Chichen Itza is a popular site for archeologists, history
enthusiasts and modern day tourists. We visited the fascinating Mayan
site on our first vacation to Riviera Maya Mexico. I highly recommend
the experience.

The Main Buildings at Chichen Itza

There are three main sections at Chichen Itza. You can explore the
iconic architecture and mysterious Mayan ruins in the North section,
South Section and Central sections of the site.

The El Castillo Kukulkan Pyramid

The famous El Castillo Mayan Pyramid is the structure that most
people come to see. The structure is located in the North section of the
site. The intricate detail and accuracy of the pyramid is staggering.

Archeologists partly restored the condition of the pyramid,
however the Southern and Eastern faces have been left untouched in their
original form.

It is fascinating to see the transition between the
different sides of the structure, it's almost like a journey through
time as you travel around the two new sides to reach the two old ones.

The temple at the summit of the pyramid was built for the (Mayan
Serpent god) Kukulkan. At certain times of the year, the sun casts a
shadow on the stairway of the pyramid which forms the shape of a serpent
descending the steps to the ground. El Castillo has 365 steps in total.
Many people suggest that the structure itself is actually an elaborate
Mayan Calendar.

The Mesoamerican Ballcourt

In the North section of Chichen Itza you can explore the largest
Mesoamerican Ballcourt in the Mayan world. The Mesoamerican ball game
was definitely not for the faint-hearted. This event itself would have
been more like a battle rather than a game but it could still be
described as an early sports activity.
There is a mysterious atmosphere at the ballcourt, if you stand
in a certain position and clap your hands, you can hear the
consequential echo seven times back.

The Group of a Thousand Columns

Also in the North section is the Group of a Thousand Columns. This area
features the Mayan remains of a thousand surprisingly straight and
perfectly aligned columns. Many people think that there was originally
also a roof positioned at the top of the columns. The columns provide
visitors with some fantastic photo opportunities. The iconic and
historically significant Temple of the Warriors is also positioned here.

El Caracol - The Observatory

El Caracol (also known as 'The Observatory') is an interesting building
to explore in the South section of Chichen Itza. This building provides a
fascinating insight into the early Mayan form of astronomy. The El
Caracol has a removable section in the central dome, the early Maya
Civilization would have used this opening to achieve a greater depth and
analysis of the surrounding stars in the sky.

The Mysterious Sacred Cenote

You can visit the Sacred Cenote in Chichen Itza, by following the White
Mayan Road (sacbe) in the South section of the site. A cenote can be
described as an ancient, deep water filled sinkhole or pool. It is said
that the 60 meter cenote was used as a sacred place for human sacrifice.
Although it seems shocking to visitors now, human sacrifice was a
common religious practice for civilizations of this time.

La Iglesia - The Church

The La Iglesia building (otherwise known as 'The Church') features some
spectacular carvings. As you explore the architecture you can see
intricate depictions, the Chac Mayan god is present on the corners of
the structure. If you look further you will notice the Mayan animal
figures of the armadillo, snail, turtle and crab. La Iglessia is in
close proximity to another popular building in Chichen Itza known as
Casa de las Monjas (or 'The Nunnery).

The Jaguar Throne

There are many other notable areas to explore at the site, the Jaguar
Throne for example is usually seen as a popular and iconic statue
amongst tourists. Although the Jaguar Throne now looks fairly plain, It
would have originally been painted with bright vivid colours by the
Mayans. If you have time after visiting the main pyramid and surrounding
structures then it can also be a good experience to explore the Mayan
ruins in Old Chichen.

Our First Vist to Chichen Itza

Originally we were not really sure whether to visit Chichen Itza or not.
It takes around two and a half hours to travel to the site from Playa
del Carmen. To myself and my wife our days spent sunbathing on our
vacation are very precious, however I am so glad we took the trip.

If you are planning your Riviera Maya holidays and only planning to
visit a few attractions then this site should be somewhere near the top
of your list.

Many people travel to Mexico just to visit the archeological
site. So we felt whilst staying in the Mayan Riviera, we may as well
take the opportunity to experience the fascinating culture and history. I
suppose it's like traveling to the heart of Egypt and not taking the
time to visit the Pyramids, it's something that we just felt compelled
to do.

We traveled by coach from our hotel in Akumal to the Yucatan
Peninsula. The tour guide (a local man called Carlos) was very good and
explained some fascinating insights about Mexican history and culture.

It is best to leave your resort first thing after breakfast and
arrive early. It can get really busy and really hot by mid-afternoon so
it's always a good idea to arrive early to beat the crowds and the
temperatures. This also leaves you with more time to experience the
Mayan ruins at the attraction. Remember to take those all important
photographs to show your friends and family back home.

I highly recommend the Mayan Ruins excursion. The experience offers a
great opportunity to find out more about the ancient traditions of the
Maya Civilization and the fascinating history of Mexico.

If you plan to visit the site then take plenty of bottled water. It can get very hot when exploring the Mayan architecture.

After visiting the site, we travelled to a nearby Cenote.
Swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving in a cenote can be a refreshing
way to cool down after your day of sightseeing at the Mayan site, so
remember to bring your swimming clothes just in case!

If you enjoy discovering historical sites on your Riviera Maya vacation then there are a wide variety of other places to explore.

The Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo is home to many popular
historical sites and prominent Mexico landmarks. You could explore
further by visiting the Coba Ruins and the Tulum Ruins. There is also a
small Mayan site in Muyil which would only take a few hours to fully
experience and enjoy.

If you would like to book your trip to Chichen Itza, then the following package deals offer a good range of options;

Explore the famous archaeological site on this enjoyable sightseeing trip with transportation from your resort in the Mayan Riviera. Unearth the secrets of Mayan history. Lunch, snacks and entry fees are included.

Visit the archaeological heart of the Mayan world on a full day guided tour. After dark, an impressive light and sound show displays the dramatic history of the site. (This tour only includes transportation to resorts and hotels located in Cancun).